Stronger, Mind & Body: Kim’s Wellness Journey

Rebekah C Titus • November 5, 2024

Kim Rawlings is the embodiment of the transformative power of CrossFit. When she first walked through the doors of Blackbird CrossFit, she was hesitant and unsure, carrying the weight of self-doubt. But with unwavering determination and the support of our incredible community, Kim has blossomed into a force to be reckoned with.

As her powerlifting coach, Andi, notes, “Kim’s tenacity is unmatched. What makes Kim special is that she actively works at the mental side of this, just as much as she does the physical. She’s not just strong; she’s mentally tough. She pushes through challenges with unwavering determination. She even comes in on off days to practice cues we went over earlier that week. Her dedication to practice and her willingness to step out of her comfort zone are inspiring.”

Kim’s journey has been marked by significant physical and mental transformations. She’s shed 45 pounds of fat, lowered her blood pressure, and gained the stamina to keep up with her three active children. Her dedication to showing up, day after day, is a testament to her strength of character. Kim has fearlessly tackled challenges, from her first Murph to the Blackbird Standard 24-hour Row-a-Thon to the Blackbird Classic Powerlifting Meet.

Kim’s dedication to both nutrition and fitness has transformed her life. By prioritizing her health and well-being, she’s not only improving her own life but also setting a positive example for her family. Her unwavering commitment to hard work and dedication has been awe-inspiring to our Blackbird community. We’re incredibly proud of Kim and can’t wait to see what she accomplishes next.

Meet Kim..

Tell us about yourself
A woman squatting with a barbell in front of a sign that says blackbird

My name is Kim Rawlings, born and raised in Baltimore City. I moved to Carroll County in April 2021 with a husband, toddler (now 6), 3 cats, 2 dogs, and 5 months pregnant with twins (now 3). I am 37. I have worked for the federal government for over 10 years in healthcare quality.

What was the turning point that led you to CrossFit? What keeps you coming back to Blackbird week after week?

A few months before COVID hit, I started working out in a small, independent gym doing weights and TRX which I really enjoyed. But then 2020 happened: COVID, moving, twin pregnancy, etc. 2020 set me back dramatically. I was eating chocolate at 9am and my body felt weak. I started seeing how my parents and in-laws couldn’t get down on the floor with my kids or run after them. At 36 and 285lbs (steadily creeping up to my highest weight of 315lbs) I knew I wanted a lifestyle change, an intervention. Goals of weight loss and increased stamina drew me in, but it was the mental shift that has kept me going. The community helped me feel supported and inspired. I looked around the room and my definitions of what fitness and strength were expanded. I found inspiration in the fellow moms working out at 5:30am, the couples and families making fitness a household journey, and everyone pushing themselves to their limit. I come back every week to grow stronger, to challenge myself physically and mentally on what I think I can do, to set an example for my kids, and to redefine my relationship with my body. Going to the gym keeps me grounded and reminds me to take care of myself.

Can you share a specific instance where CrossFit has challenged you in a positive way? What did you learn from it?

Doing the Open was a huge physical and mental challenge. I worried about letting my team down, everyone watching me, not being able to do the movements and needing to scale ‘too much’. My anxiety was through the roof…but I wanted to be a part of the community. I wanted people to take me seriously, to see that I was trying. I wanted to mentally commit, stop with the excuses and embrace the challenge. I wanted to take myself seriously! Doing the Open, I learned that I can do hard things and that there is a community cheering me on, even when I am last. I also learned that I need to just do the damn thing…lol. I was doing plate jumps for way too long. The Open motivated me to pull the trigger, get out of my comfort zone and jump rope.

What is your favorite memory or experience from the gym?
A woman is lifting a barbell in front of a sign that says crossfit

I started at Blackbird with personal training for a few months to help build my comfort level and stamina. In my first session the coach was showing me proper form for a squat and his knees creaked. Here was a super fit guy, not much older than me, very clearly fit his whole life…and his knees too sometimes, just like mine, creaked! That tiny thing put a small crack in the stigma I had about my body and the otherness I felt. 

What is your favorite CrossFit movement, lift, or WOD? Least favorite?

No surprise here, I love lifting…any kind. Lifting heavy shit first thing in the morning gives me a pep in my step for the rest of the day. Specifically, I would say back squats and snatches. 

My least favorite would be box jumps, at the moment. I am thrilled to have conquered them but busted shins last longer than I expected!

What do you enjoy the most about Blackbird or CrossFit in general?

The coaches. I have a memory with each coach where they have helped me achieve a goal or overcome a challenge. They have become an integral part of my journey and building my confidence in my own ability to do hard things. For that, I will be eternally grateful. They really have changed my life.

I also appreciate the focus on whole body health and fitness. Blackbird isn’t just focused on hitting the numbers, be them on the scale or the barbell. Blackbird remains focused on promoting a healthy lifestyle and realizes that will look different from person to person.

Can you share a specific health improvement or positive change in your life that you attribute to CrossFit?

CrossFit, and specifically Blackbird, helped me redefine what health means and helped me love and appreciate my body the at every stage it is going through on my journey. This has positively changed my mental health and helped me sustain healthier physical and nutrition habits. It inspired my husband to join the gym …and most importantly it demonstrates healthy habits to my kids and breaks the cycle of toxic gym and diet culture.

Specifically though, my stamina is greatly improved and I am down 40lbs. My blood pressure is down. I can keep up with kids more and, when needed, I can carry a 35lb twin in each arm, along with a backpack and lunch tote and walk a good 200ft before stopping. Talk about functional fitness!

 

A woman wearing glasses is holding a cell phone in a gym.
What are your CrossFit goals and how close are you to reaching them?

My current goal is to show up, work hard, and leave my comfort zone. I want to work on trusting the process and keep moving forward knowing that if I commit to the process and show up those big goals of rope climbs and strict pull ups will come. In the more immediate term I want to squat and deadlift 315 in the next year. It seems symbolic since that was my highest weight, and as Coach Chris said, “Three 45s looks pretty.”

I also want to keep working on remembering to not compare the first year of my journey to someone else’s decade long journey. It is not fair to me, and it minimizes their effort and journey.  

When you are not CrossFitting what is your favorite thing to do?

I love family day trips with my husband and kids, escape rooms, and baking.

What is one fun thing about you that we may not know yet?

I love decorating cakes.

What advice would you give to someone who is hesitant to try CrossFit?

The first thing I would say is the nice thing about CrossFit is there is so much variety that EVERYONE can find their strength and something they are good at. I would also say that the Blackbird CrossFit community is really great at supporting everyone and caring more about people showing up and trying rather than what everyone’s numbers are.

Also, just do it. You won’t regret it.

How has your approach to nutrition changed since starting CrossFit? If you’ve worked with one of our Blackbird Nutrition Coaches, tell us about your experience.
A woman is doing squats with a barbell in a gym.

Working with Coach Mary is helping me undo 30+ years of toxic diet culture and learn that healthy eating is about consistency, not perfection. My work with Coach Mary has been equally about learning what my body needs to achieve my goals and learning what grace my mental health needs as I continue this journey. This is a marathon, not a sprint.  

What is your favorite workout fuel? What about your favorite indulgence?

I’m usually an early-bird so my go-to is grabbing a banana when I leave the house. My favorite indulgence…there are so many…sweet would be a really good piece of homemade chocolate cake with chocolate frosting, if I went savory I would have to go with homemade pasta in a cream sauce.

Results? Tell us about your results!

Having Blackbird be my introduction to sustained fitness, this first year has had countless accomplishments, both big and small. I have lost 45lbs of fat while maintaining all of my muscle. I have grown into new movements like wall walks, box jumps, jumping rope, scap pull ups, etc. all of which seemed impossible when I first stepped into the box. 

My cumulative powerlifting total is 670…750 here I come!!

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